Chinatown Travel Guide

Washington
Washington which includes a city, night scenes and street scenes
Discover a city center neighborhood with a variety of Asian shops and restaurants. Visit the nearby galleries, museums and entertainment centers.

Chinatown in Washington D.C. is a historic district where you can experience Asian charm and cuisine. It’s an enclave of Downtown Washington D.C. and located within close proximity to some of the city’s major art galleries, museums and theaters. Chinatown grew to prominence in the 1930s when Chinese immigrants opened businesses and decorated the neighborhood’s buildings with traditional artwork and signs.

Today, about 20 businesses survive that continue to showcase Asian culture. These businesses sit alongside modern buildings and well-known chain stores. Start your visit at the Friendship Archway, a typical gateway designed to emphasize the area’s Chinese character. Walk along the surrounding streets to see shopfronts adorned with bright lights and Chinese symbols.

Find teahouses and restaurants, which serve classic Asian dishes such as stir-fried noodles and wonton soup. Browse stores that sell crafts, medicinal herbs and spices. Visit the Chinese Community Church to hear sermons in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Time your visit to coincide with the Chinese New Year Parade, which takes place between late January and mid-February. Enjoy live music shows, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese dragon dances.

Visit Gallery Place for retail and entertainment options. This contemporary shopping mall is home to fashion outlets, bars, restaurants and a cinema.

To the south, Chinatown converges with the lively Penn Quarter. Watch basketball and ice hockey matches or attend concerts by world-famous acts at the Verizon Center. Spot work by national artists at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and see exhibitions about American culture at the National Portrait Gallery. Learn about the curious world of espionage at the International Spy Museum and attend a theater show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Chinatown is easy to get to via public buses and the metro. The most convenient metro stations are Gallery Place Chinatown and Metro Center.

Check the websites of the galleries, museums and theaters for admission fees, opening times and schedule of events.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Hotel Pentagon
Hotel Pentagon
3 out of 5
2480 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA
The price is ฿3,964 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
฿3,964
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Arlington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in their reviews. ...
6.4/10 (1,177 reviews)
"The location of the hotel was very convent. It was very close to local food restaurant, sightseeing, and it was very easy to leave and travel back after sightseeing in Washington."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Hotel Pentagon
Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿4,082 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿4,082
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,428 reviews)
"Great place, very small rooms, walkable to main attractions."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Washington Plaza Hotel
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿4,001 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿4,001
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews.
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,306 reviews)
"The staff go above and beyond and are so friendly, the building is very clean and well maintained, and the pool and its surroundings are an oasis in an urban area. Also very convenient to sites as well as regular neighborhoods for dining."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Washington Plaza Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel
4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw, Washington, DC
The price is ฿5,583 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿5,583
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,332 reviews)
Our favorite DC hotel
"Very luxurious accommodations at a very reasonable cost."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Omni Shoreham Hotel
Capital Hilton
Capital Hilton
4 out of 5
1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿5,486 per night from 14 Jun to 15 Jun
฿5,486
per night
14 Jun - 15 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"The room was very quiet, comfortable, and clean. Those are the qualities that I value the most in a hotel, and Capitol Hilton hit all of these marks. I will stay there again, whenever I come back to D.C."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Capital Hilton
citizenM Washington DC Capitol
citizenM Washington DC Capitol
4 out of 5
550 School St SW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿4,735 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿4,735
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,821 reviews)
"Staff was a little rude and untrained not all but some"

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Downtown Washington D.C. showing street scenes, night scenes and a city

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(156 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Washington D.C.
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Logan Circle

A noteworthy feature of Logan Circle is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out National City Christian Church and Studio Theatre.

Logan Circle
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

While you're in Southwest Federal Center, take in top sights like National Mall or National Air and Space Museum, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station.

Southwest Federal Center
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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like Farragut Square or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Dupont Circle showing a statue or sculpture and a monument

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(91 area reviews)

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Dupont Circle
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Capitol Hill

4/5(41 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Capitol Hill. Check out top attractions like United States Capitol and Library of Congress, and jump on the metro at Capitol South Station or Eastern Market Station to see more of the city.

Capitol Hill


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